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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






2. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






3. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






4. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






5. A string of chords played in succession.






6. A reprise.






7. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






8. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






9. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






10. Sliding between two notes.






11. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






12. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






13. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






14. Group of singers in a chorus.






15. Suite of Baroque dances.






16. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






17. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






18. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






19. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






20. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






21. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






22. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






23. Unmusical - without tone.






24. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






25. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






26. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






27. The structure of a piece of music.






28. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






29. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






30. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






31. The distance in pitch between two notes.






32. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






33. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






34. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






35. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






36. Pertains to tone or tones.






37. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






38. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






39. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






40. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






41. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






42. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






43. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






44. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






45. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






46. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






47. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






48. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






49. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






50. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.